Adjuvant for vaccine development

Abstract

The present invention provides a cell-based method for identification of an adjuvant and adjuvant combinations and a composition of a vaccine that includes the adjuvant and adjuvant combinations. The method comprises the steps: using an adjuvant or adjuvant combination to treat at least one type of antigen-presenting cells and measuring amount of at least one cytokine produced by the antigen-presenting cells.

1 . A method for identification of an adjuvant and adjuvant combination, comprising:
 using an adjuvant or adjuvant combinations to treat at least one type of antigen-presenting cells and measuring amount of at least one cytokine produced by the at least one type of antigen-presenting cells.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjuvant comprises a hydrophilic or/and a hydrophobic molecule. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one cytokine has the property to stimulate at least one type of antigen-presenting cells. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antigen-presenting cell is a dendritic cell, a macrophage, or a B lymphocyte. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the dendritic cell is derived from bone marrow cells. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the dendritic cell is isolated from peripheral blood or a tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the dendritic cell is an immortalized cell line. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule is capable of stimulating expression of a type I interferon or an inflammatory cytokine. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule is a Toll-like receptor ligand or agonist. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule is a STING agonist. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule is a nucleotide analogue. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule is selected from a compound library based on its cytokine-stimulating property. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule is an mRNA molecule. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cytokine can stimulate maturation of the antigen-presenting cells. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the cytokine is interferon-beta. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the cytokine is tumor necrosis factor-alpha. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule can be packaged into a nanometer-size or micrometer-size particle. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the particle is a porous silicon particle, a porous silica particle, or a lipid nanoparticle. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule packaged in a particle can stimulate cytokine expression in antigen-presenting cells. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule packaged in a particle has an equal or greater activity in stimulating cytokine expression in antigen-presenting cells compared to its free form. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule synergizes with a particulate component in stimulating cytokine expression in antigen-presenting cells. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule in the particle has the capacity to promote antigen processing and presentation in antigen-presenting cells. 
     
     
         23 - 50 . (canceled)